A trial to combine heterogeneous computer systems in NIFS

Several computer systems in NIFS (the National Institute for Fusion Science ) are involved in the operation of the LHD (Large Helical Device) for plasm a experiments. Because these systems are independent of each other, it is b urdensome to the programmers and the researchers to use several of them for one project. Currently, the programmers must write low-level data access r outines for each system, then the researchers, after having learned these r outines, can install the applications to retrieve the data on each system. In order to improve this situation, we have been developing anew system. Th is system employs two technologies, the signed applet and WORE, to combine the independent systems. These technologies were chosen for the following r easons: (1) The signed applet is an applet free from the general restrictio ns of applets, and can connect to any server and save the retrieved data to client machines; and (2) HORB is the Java-based ORE (Object Request Broker ), the use of which makes it easy to build a Java-based, distributed enviro nment. When the system is completed, it will allow users to obtain data fro m the above independent systems by means of ordinary Web browsers, without having to install additional applications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. A ll rights reserved.